Outsidelands 2013

From August 9-11, 2013, music fans from all over California and beyond descended on Golden Gate Park in San Francisco for the sixth annual Outside Lands festival. With over 70 musical acts performing on multiple stages throughout the weekend, as well as a variety of food and drink options, art installations, and sustainability initiatives, the festival offered something for everyone.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the lineup of headliners, which included rock legends Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Nine Inch Nails. Other notable performers included indie favorites Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, as well as hip-hop group Jurassic 5.

In addition to the music, the festival also featured a wide variety of food and drink options from local vendors. Attendees could choose from everything from gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas to Korean BBQ and fresh oysters. For those interested in libations, the Wine Lands and Beer Lands areas offered selections from over 40 California wineries and 30 craft breweries.

But Outside Lands wasn't just about the music and the food. The festival also featured several large-scale art installations, including a 40-foot-tall wooden sculpture called "Colossal Head" and a "Mousetrap" contraption that allowed festival-goers to launch tennis balls into the air. These installations added to the overall creative and playful atmosphere of the festival.

Another important aspect of Outside Lands 2013 was its focus on sustainability. The festival organizers made a strong effort to promote environmentally friendly practices among attendees, with initiatives such as composting, recycling, and a "green team" of volunteers who helped educate festival-goers about sustainable practices. The festival also used solar power to generate some of its electricity.

Overall, Outside Lands 2013 was a successful and enjoyable weekend of music, food, and art in one of San Francisco's most iconic parks. With its focus on sustainability and creativity, the festival proved to be more than just a standard music festival, and offered a unique experience for all who attended.